A parenting expert has shared her top tips for getting kids to sleep on Christmas Eve – including giving them chocolate to indulge in.
Specialist Kirsty Ketley has previously made headlines for revealing the worst parenting tips and myths that we should avoid.
She recently shared why she is boycotting Elf on the Shelf – calling it “creepy”.
Now, the Surrey-based 42-year-old, who is mum to Ella, 10, and Leo, six, has shared her top tips for ensuring a smooth Christmas Eve night.
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FISH FINGERS AND CHOCOLATE
While many parents tend to steer clear of sugar and junk – especially when they want children to settle – Kirsty says it can actually be a good idea to let them indulge.
“Chocolate is seen as a bad idea on Christmas Eve, but dark chocolate can actually aid sleep,” she told What’s The Jam.
“Add it to some banana and oat muffins, paired with a warm glass of milk, and it will help your child sleep.
“Salmon or other oily fish are also good for sleep – so you could serve fish fingers for dinner that night.
“It’s best to make your own, which is very simple to do for even the busiest parent, or buy good quality, 100% fish with Omega 3 in.”
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NO STOCKINGS IN BEDROOMS
Although part of the fun of Christmas Day is waking up to a stocking of gifts at the end of the bed, Kirsty advises against this – saying it could cause overexcitement and ward off sleep.
She said: “Keeping stockings downstairs and not at the end of their beds is a great way to stop any anxiety – plus it’s so helpful for parents!
“This is what we do. It means we can’t accidentally wake them up and it means that they sleep because they’re not keeping one ear open for the big man!”
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NAIL THE SLEEP SCHEDULE THIS WEEK
To help coax the kids into bed at an early hour on Christmas Eve, Kirsty recommends getting them used to a slightly different sleep schedule in the days leading up to the festivities.
She said: “Wake them up earlier on Christmas Eve and the days leading up to it, so that they will be more inclined to head to bed earlier.
“It will help them cope on Christmas Day if they have got used to an earlier wake up time.
“If your child is already an early riser, still bring bedtime forward in the lead up to make it easier to get them to bed on Christmas Eve.”
LIMIT LOUNGING AROUND
While the festive period is all about kicking back and relaxing, Kirsty warns that children need to be kept active on Christmas Eve.
She said: “Head to Junior Park Run in the morning!
“Exercising before midday is brilliant for aiding sleep, as is getting fresh air and sunlight in the morning.
“Park run is totally free and there are courses all over the country, so likely to be one local to you.
“Also, make sure that their Christmas Eve movie is done and dusted an hour before bed and read a selection of Christmas themed stories instead to help them unwind.
“Stopping screen time in the hour before bed helps promote good sleep.”
NO SLEEP, NO SANTA
It may not always work, but Kirsty says that, if all else fails, you can always lean on the trick of telling the kids Santa won’t come if they don’t go to sleep.
She added: “It’s an old-fashioned method, but for the majority of kids, it will be enough.
“Of course, for some, they will then worry and that will cause them to not sleep, so it’s very individual to your child.
“But even with my daughter, who finds drifting off a problem, this works!”
READ MORE: ‘I’m a parenting expert and THIS is why I’m boycotting creepy Elf on the Shelf’
